26 the one, 2024, 12:18 pm ET
Celtics All-Star forward Jayson Tatum talks about the Los Angeles Lakers legend and the impact he continues to have around the world.
There are so many questions that Jayson Tatum I wish I could have done it to the legend of the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, before he, his daughter Gianna and seven others died in a helicopter crash four years ago on Friday. And since the death of Bryantthe Boston Celtics star forward has had no qualms about turning to a mentor like the NBA star LeBron James to acquire as much knowledge as possible.
“It’s bittersweet. I can’t believe she’s not here anymore. And what I regret is that she wishes she had called more. “I wish I had texted him more,” Tatum told Andscape..
Jayson Tatum told Andscape about Kobe Bryant: ‘The impact he had on so many people around the world is evident even to this day.’ Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
“I always thought he was very busy. “I never wanted to bother him,” he continued. Tatum. “We knew each other. He told me to text him and call him anytime. But I almost freaked out. I could only imagine all the things he was doing. I didn’t want to bother him. And obviously, after what happened, I wish I should have gotten closer. I had so many questions I wanted to know the answers to. I should have called him more and taught me a lesson.
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“Now I don’t hold back on the older players in the league, like ‘Bron. LeBron is someone I text and call a lot, and it can be anything from basketball to body care to off-court business decisions. People are willing to give you answers, you just have to ask.”
The following is a question and answer session with Tatum in a promotional interview courtesy of Ruffles in which he reflects further on Bryant.
While it’s been four years since Kobe’s death, what kind of impact has he and will he continue to have around the world?
The impact he had on so many people around the world is evident even to this day. Even for me, a kid who grew up thousands of miles from Los Angeles and who watched him play, watched his interviews and his training and just wanted to steal a lot of his game, his personality and his way of thinking. And it’s just amazing how someone from so far away can have such an impact on me. It really is a big reason why I am who I am today and why I have come this far.
And once I got into the league to be able to develop a relationship with him and get to know him on a personal level, he was my idol growing up. That’s why I always honor him when I can.
Of all the things Kobe told you, what do you remember most today?
His mentality. He asked me, ‘How much would it mean to you to win a championship or be the best player you can be?’ What are you really willing to sacrifice to be one, whether it’s being a good friend, a good family member, or sacrificing your free time? Are you using this small window of time to maximize your skills? How much does that really mean to you?
You played in the NBA Finals in 2022, but you lost. What would it mean to you to win one of those NBA championships like the five Kobe won?
It would mean everything, right? This is my seventh year in the league and four conference finals and one Finals appearance, like you said. That’s the thing. That’s the only thing I haven’t really done: being that close and knowing how hard it is to get to that point and not get over that hurdle. So, it’s late, I owe it. It’s long overdue, but I have a good feeling about it.